Ray pitches seven-inning shutout to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to fourth straight win: By the Numbers

Jun 15, 2015, 11:15 PM | Updated: 11:15 pm

After their three-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants in the Bay Area over the weekend, the Arizona Diamondbacks picked up their fourth straight win Monday when they defeated the Los Angeles Angels 7-3 in Anaheim.

On the arm of a sparking seven-inning, two-hit shutout courtesy of starter Robbie Ray, the D-backs are now within a game of posting a .500 record for the season.

However, the game would begin auspiciously, as starting right fielder Ender Inciarte would leave the game in the first inning after pulling up lame in an effort to to beat a throw to first. After the game, D-backs manager Chip Hale would announce that Inciarte suffered a strained left hamstring and would be making his way to the 15-day disabled list Tuesday.

Chip Hale announces post-game that Ender Inciarte will go on 15-day disabled list. A corresponding move will be made tomorrow.

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 16, 2015

Yet, despite the injury to Inciarte, the D-backs would rally behind Ray and an offense that continues to flourish at the plate this year.

For Ray, the start would mark the third time in the last four games that a D-backs starting pitcher would throw five hitless innings to begin the game. The start would also lower Ray’s ERA to 1.09, earning him his second win of the year (2-1).

D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and Monday’s designated hitter Yasmany Tomas would carry the day for the D-backs on offense, as their three-run and solo home runs in the third and sixth innings, respectively, would give the D-backs a 5-0 lead that would last until the eighth inning.

Though the Arizona bullpen would take fans on an adventurous ride following a two-run double from Angels center fielder Mike Trout and a towering hit from first baseman Albert Pujols that reached the warning track in eighth, the D-backs would ultimately pull out their 31st victory of the season.

Below we take a look at Arizona’s win, by the numbers.

3

The number of runs allowed by Ray in 24.2 innings pitched over four starts this season. Don’t look now, but the 23-year-old is rapidly establishing himself as one of the best arms in the D-backs starting rotation following his seven-inning shutout in which he only allowed two hits.

5

D-backs starters have now begun with five hitless innings in three of the last four games. Ray’s no-hit bid was broken up in the sixth inning following a single by Angels left fielder Daniel Robertson.

0.62

To further put in perspective the stellar recent outings from the D-backs’ starting rotation, Arizona starters have posted a 0.62 ERA over the last four games. Credit Chase Anderson, Allen Webster, Rubby De La Rosa and the aforementioned Ray.

31

Cliff Pennington’s 31st birthday couldn’t have gone much better Monday. Though he was forced into the contest following the hamstring injury to Inciarte in the first inning, Pennington made the most of his opportunity. Despite having next no experience playing in the outfield, Pennington would take over in left after Hale moved starting left fielder David Peralta to Inciarte’s vacant position in right. Not only would Pennington gun down Erick Aybar at second in the sixth inning, but the birthday boy would be clutch at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI bunt single to provide an insurance run for the D-backs in the ninth.

Cliff Pennington, outfield phenom. #WebGem pic.twitter.com/kRZU1I7fZQ

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 16, 2015

.524

Goldschmidt’s batting average with two outs and runners in scoring position this season. Goldy’s three-run home run in the third inning was his 18th of the season, giving him four home runs and 16 RBI with two outs and runners in scoring position in 2015.

#18 of 2015. #GoldschmidtHappens

#VoteGoldy pic.twitter.com/YuFnAn2Ume

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 16, 2015

.349

With his home run in the sixth inning, Tomas is hitting .349 with two doubles, two home runs and six RBI in his last 11 games since June 2.

Sometimes, you gotta live ToMÁS: http://t.co/TY1djM5Re2 pic.twitter.com/UoqJIRFIW3

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) June 16, 2015

Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt, left, dives back to second base, as Los Angeles Angels shortstop Erick Aybar catches the ball on a pick-off attempt during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver throws to the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt watches his three-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt, right, celebrates his three-run home run that scored A.J. Pollock, left, and Welington Castillo, as Los Angeles Angels catcher Carlos Perez, second from left, waits during the third inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed, right, leaps after making the relay to first for a double play. after forcing out Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout, left, at second, on a ball hit by Albert Pujols during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver, right, looks away as Arizona Diamondbacks' Yasmany Tomas rounds third after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Yasmany Tomas, left, heads to the dugout after hitting a solo home run, with Los Angeles Angels catcher Carlos Perez, right, looking away, during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Angels catcher Carlos Perez, right, tags out Arizona Diamondbacks' Cliff Pennington, who tried to score from second base on a single by Paul Goldschmidt during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray throws to the Los Angeles Angels during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Chris Owings lands on Los Angeles Angels' Johnny Giavotella after making the relay to first to get Carlos Perez for a double play during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout hits a two-run double during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Angels catcher Carlos Perez, left, takes in the throw from right field, as Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed scores on a sacrifice fly by A.J. Pollock during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed signals to the umpire that he is safe, sliding past the tag of Los Angeles Angels catcher Carlos Perez on a sacrifice fly by A.J. Pollock, during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Cliff Pennington, left, leaps in celebration next center fielder A.J. Pollock, with right fielder David Peralta (6) nearby, after the Diamondbacks defeated the Los Angeles Angels 7-3 in a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Addison Reed follows through on a delivery during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2015. The Diamondbacks won 7-3. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout dives but is unable to connect on a catch during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium, Monday, June 15, 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Matt Masin/The Orange County Register via AP)

Los Angeles Angels' Jered Weaver watches the game from the dugout during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium, Monday, June 15, 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Matt Masin/The Orange County Register via AP)

Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout reacts to being called out during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium, Monday, June 15, 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Matt Masin/The Orange County Register via AP)

Los Angeles Angels' Carlos Perez heads toward first base, but gets called out during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium, Monday, June 15, 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Matt Masin/The Orange County Register via AP)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Robbie Ray against the Los Angeles Angels during a baseball game Monday, June 15, 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Matt Masin/The Orange County Register via AP)

Los Angeles Angels' Jered Weaver pitches during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium, Monday, June 15, 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Matt Masin/The Orange County Register via AP)

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